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ESCAP Disaster Resilience Week

9 to 12 October 2017, Bangkok

ESCAP will hold the first Disaster Resilience Week in Bangkok from 9 to 12 October 2017. The past month has served as a grim reminder that natural disasters know no borders. They can strike countries at opposite ends of the globe simultaneously, with intense monsoon floods, typhoon Hato, tropical cyclones Harvey, Irma and Maria, all raising questions about what more can be done to both mitigate the risks of extreme weather conditions and address the root causes of vulnerability right at the source.

Against this backdrop, and in line with ESCAP’s Regional Roadmap for Implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the week will feature expert meetings and side-events, along with the ESCAP Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), the key platform for regional dialogue and intergovernmental collaboration on DRR, which will convene from 10 to 12 October.

The Asia-Pacific Disaster Report 2017 will be launched by United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP Dr. Shamshad Akhtar on 10 October. The report highlights that disasters are becoming more frequent and intense and shows that natural disasters were responsible for the loss of two million lives and cost the region’s economy $1.3 trillion between 1970 and 2016.

The report examines the relationship between the impact of disasters, poverty and inequality, and explores how the impacts of disasters intersect with violent conflict. It also highlights the scientific and technical advances in forecasting that can identify new risks and vulnerabilities, and help anticipate extreme events.

Note to Editors: You or your representatives are cordially invited to attend:

Media highlights:

Opening ceremony and launch of the Asia-Pacific Disaster Report 2017 (10 October 09.00-10.00)

ASEAN@50 Special Event (12 October 10.00-12.00)

Where: UN Conference Centre, Rajadamnern Nok Ave, Bangkok

Media AccreditationFor media registration, please provide the following information (First Name; Last Name; Nationality; ID/Passport Number; Email Address; Mobile No; Organization/New Agency, as well as the latest electronic copy of a passport-sized photo for printing the badge in advance) and send to: escap-scas@un.org.

For further information, please contact:
Ms. Katie Elles, Public Information Officer, Strategic Communications and Advocacy Section, ESCAP, M: (66) 9481 525 36 / E: elles@un.org
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